Thread: Superlative kamisori shave

Early on I was getting pretty good shaves with I-S wakamisori. I expected that soon my technique would catch up and I would be able to match any occidental blade.

The shave was almost always ok but never great. I would sharpen and resharpen; sometimes with a different finish stone or slightly different technique. I even tried hundreds of linen laps trying to up the shave quality. Even tried double taping. All Futile.

I had never gone below 8k trying to minimize wear. I finally decided to take for myself with this razor advice I often give. Reboot with 1k. I did and moved up with some nats.
Aoto, H-yama, N-tama Asagi.

Finally I realized there was just not enough work on the ura. It has only ever seen asagi. So I I did, exactly how much hard to say. The bevel on the omote is still much larger. It may well be 10/1. The ura was again finished with asagi.

Another early step I had taken was to dry soap my linen. But it had worn off and I had forgotten about it. Seeing AF's stropping post I re-soaped my linen and soaped my strop. OK now i finally know what draw is, after giving the blade 20/20.

Since this is the shaving forum let me say something about that. Teriffic, and just as good as any one of myfavorites
Finally this razor has earned a spot as a true toiletry item; not just a curiosity or toy.

90% of my shave was with the ura; W&ATG. With the other10% using the omote on my face cleaning up here and there especially upper lip.

I am writing to say if it has been sometime since you have tried using the ura, or you never have; please do. As I can assure you; you are missing out.

I believe most would find the easiest rt. handed stroke to be the left cheek- at least try that. But let's have it sharp first. cheers

Originally Posted by kevint

Early on I was getting pretty good shaves with I-S wakamisori. I expected that soon my technique would catch up and I would be able to match any occidental blade.

The shave was almost always ok but never great. I would sharpen and resharpen; sometimes with a different finish stone or slightly different technique. I even tried hundreds of linen laps trying to up the shave quality. Even tried double taping. All Futile.

Taping the spine works for these razors? I guess I didn't read as much as I thought as last time I saw taping them was useless in general.

I had never gone below 8k trying to minimize wear. I finally decided to take for myself with this razor advice I often give. Reboot with 1k. I did and moved up with some nats.
Aoto, H-yama, N-tama Asagi.

Finally I realized there was just not enough work on the ura. It has only ever seen asagi. So I I did, exactly how much hard to say. The bevel on the omote is still much larger. It may well be 10/1. The ura was again finished with asagi.

Another early step I had taken was to dry soap my linen. But it had worn off and I had forgotten about it. Seeing AF's stropping post I re-soaped my linen and soaped my strop. OK now i finally know what draw is, after giving the blade 20/20.

Since this is the shaving forum let me say something about that. Teriffic, and just as good as any one of myfavorites
Finally this razor has earned a spot as a true toiletry item; not just a curiosity or toy.

90% of my shave was with the ura; W&ATG. With the other10% using the omote on my face cleaning up here and there especially upper lip.

I am writing to say if it has been sometime since you have tried using the ura, or you never have; please do. As I can assure you; you are missing out.

Indeed my Iwasaki was sharp and I was foolhardy more so and slashed #3 ( right upper lip ). I thought it was established to shave with the omote?

I think I'll pass on cutting myself or even the infamous #13

I believe most would find the easiest rt. handed stroke to be the left cheek- at least try that. But let's have it sharp first. cheers

I'm too tired to link threads regarding taping of JSPEC spine so I'll leave it at that.

Taping questions: no way?

The new razor is set the way it is going to be right out of the box. There should be no need to reconfigure or redesign the geometry with massive hand grinding. It is laid on the stone and sharpened per users choice of ratio, etc. (which should be a constant tape or none)

the point being it lays flat as is. Using tape is the same as that} only + tape. Fairly straight forward wouldn't you say?

Shaving in general, I can still get a nick every now and then. Sometimes; rare as hell, i'll get one good enough to scab. tiny. ( I am messy and full speed)

With my new edge I found little need to: start. start. start, to make a pass. Easy and wiping, I was very glad to see the razor act like a razor. This is my main point.

When you first cut yourself did you abandon the practice of straight razors or continue?

Food for thought: What appeals to your ideals will work.

That's why some strop once a week. some a dozen or more on leather. Others need yards of linen and leather everyday.

Tonight I meant to see what the opposite approach might bring = 90% skin/omote.

The left cheek was just not spot on. So I just started shaving. With only 3 minutes or so there was not enough time to evaluate what was better or best; it just happened to be excellent.

me happy